About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Description

The Caicedo lab in the Department of Biology at UMass Amherst is looking for a postdoctoral research associate. The position will support a collaborative NSF-funded project with colleagues at Penn State University and Rutgers University, studying the landscape and population genomics of the parasitic weed, dodder (Cuscuta gronovii and C. campestris) in agricultural and non-agricultural environments. The preferred candidate will have a PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, or a related field, and will have experience with population genomic analyses.

Essential Functions

• Lead efforts to collect dodder in agricultural and non-agricultural sites across the Northeast U.S., for genome and transcriptome sequencing, small RNA characterization, and microscopy of dodder-host interfaces.
• Carry out analyses of dodder population structure and environmental associations, and identify possible loci under selection.
• Examine the impact of host-dodder genotype interactions on attachment phenotypes.
• Lead and contribute to publications and conference presentations stemming from current project field and lab work.
• Develop new project ideas and submit grant proposals; work in a collaborative environment alongside graduate and undergraduate students at UMass, Penn State and Rutgers

Additional Information

• Work collaboratively and effectively to promote teamwork, diversity, equality and inclusiveness. 
• Work in partnership with colleagues within the CNS community and across the campus to support the Dean’s strategic priorities.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the mission and goals of the College of Natural Sciences.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology or related field prior to the start date.
• Expertise in evolution, population genetics and genomic analyses.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct independent research and to publish quality scientific papers.
• Good communication and writing skills.
• Commitment to fostering an inclusive work environment.
• Strong quantitative skills.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Experience with population structure analyses, genotype-environment association analyses, and/or selective sweep mapping.
• Experience with or willingness to learn microscopy methods to survey dodder morphology.
• Fieldwork experience with plants.
• Evidence of leadership, mentoring, and outreach.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

• Standard office, lab, and fieldwork environments:
• Ability to sit in front of a computer for an extended period time.
• Ability to carry out molecular wet lab procedures such as DNA extraction and sequencing
• Ability to complete fieldwork including sampling of plant tissues in liquid nitrogen.

Additional Details

• Field work takes place in both agricultural and non-agricultural environments environments, which will involve varying types of terrain.
• The position will be for 12 months with a potential to renew for up to 2.6 years.
• The start date is negotiable with a preferential start date between December 1, 2024 – April 1, 2025.

Work schedule

• Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 5 pm.
• Work schedule may vary, especially during the collection portions of the project.

Salary Information

• Salary will follow the current UMass guidelines for Postdoctoral fellows: PostDoc PRO CBA.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume and cover letter. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references. Candidates that identify with groups currently underrepresented in wildlife ecology and conservation are encouraged to apply. Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis until the position is filled. Early submissions are encouraged. For best considerations, please submit your application materials by 5:00pm (EST) on October
30, 2024. Questions can be directed to Dr. Ana Caicedo (caicedo@umass.edu).

At UMass Amherst and in CNS, we strive to be a community where every individual feels a sense of belonging, where every individual is included, and where every individual is valued. You can find these values and goals here: https://www.umass.edu/strategicplan/strategic-plan.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University.  To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans.  It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.